Presidential elections are scheduled to be held in Cape Verde on 15 November 2026.
Background PAICV candidate José Maria Neves was elected president in the first round with over 51% of the vote in 2021. This was the first time the PAICV won a presidential election since 2006, when Pedro Pires was re-elected president for a second term. At the time, the government was headed by MpD, with Ulisses Correa e Silva as prime minister in what is known as a cohabitation. Since then, in the 2026 Cape Verdean parliamentary election, a PAICV government has come to power.
Electoral system The president was elected using the two-round system by registered voters residing in the country and abroad. Eligible candidates must be citizens "of Cape Verdean origin, who hold no other nationality"; over 35 years of age on the date of candidacy; and have resided in the country for three years prior to that date. The application to register as a candidate must be presented to the Constitutional Court for approval, and requires the signatures of at least 1,000 and at most 4,000 electors.
Candidates Confirmed José Maria Neves (African Party for the Independence of Cape Verde), President of Cape Verde (since 2021), runs for re-election. Joana Rosa (Movement for Democracy), Minister of Justice (2021-2026).
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